New Bedford Half Marathon

March 3rd, 2026

Whether you’re planning to visit New Bedford for the first time or are a long-time half-marathon attendee, enjoy this guide with tips to start your journey or jog your memory.

Half Marathon History

The New Bedford Half Marathon is an annual race, managed since 2009 by a volunteer committee with the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. It is one of the oldest half-marathon distance events in the Northeast. For some runners, the half is a feat in itself. For others, it provides competitive training for the Boston and other marathon events. While most marathons take place in the fall, the New Bedford Half offers early-season accountability for distance runners. Whether you’re a single runner or part of a team, race day is a special challenge that brings athletes and family and friends together.

A father runs pushing his son in a wheelchair in the New Bedford Half Marathon.

The Course and Spectator Locations

In addition to a physical challenge, New Bedford’s course offers runners and spectators a sightseeing journey. Runners travel along New Bedford’s expansive coastline, including East Beach and West Beach. In between the beaches on the peninsula lies Fort Taber Park, where spectators can visit the Civil War-era Fort Rodman and the Fort Taber- Fort Rodman Military Museum and Veterans Memorial. The beautiful Buttonwood Park is a great place to watch the early leg of the race. After watching your family and friends pass by, visit the Buttonwood Park Zoo while you wait for the roads to clear to head back downtown.

The race starts and ends just steps away from the Whaling National Historical Park, right in historic downtown. Directly adjacent to the starting line is the New Bedford Free Public Library. The third floor of the library is a hidden gem with a historic art collection, including massive paintings by Albert Bierstadt and a complete set of the first edition of John James Audubon’s Birds of America. Downtown is a walkable area with cobblestone streets, public art, the National Park Visitor Center, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Seamen’s Bethel, New Bedford Art Museum, Fishing Heritage Center, Rotch-Jones-Duff-House and Garden Museum, New Bedford Museum of Glass, The Zeiterion, Abolition Row Park, and an abundance of local shops and restaurants.

Race and Registration Information

The race starts and finishes in front of City Hall on Pleasant Street on Sunday, March 15, beginning at 11 AM. Runners can pick up their numbers in the gymnasium of the YMCA on Saturday, March 14, from noon to 4 PM, and on Sunday, March 15, from 8:30 to 10:30 AM.

Registration is open online, leading right up until the event. You can register in person at the YMCA on Saturday, March 14, from noon to 4 PM, and on Sunday, March 15, from 8:30 to 10:30 AM.

A runner gives a high five to a spectator after finishing the New Bedford Half Marathon.

Street Closures and Parking

Streets on the race route will be closed from 10 AM to 2 PM on Sunday, March 15. There is very limited street parking on race day, but the city provides free parking in two garages downtown on race day: the Elm Street Garage and Zeiterion Garage. The entrance to the Elm Street Garage is located at 51 Elm Street. The Zeiterion Garage is listed as 684 Purchase Street, which is the address for The Zeiterion Theatre. However, the entrance to the garage is on Acushnet Avenue, a block down, just after the intersection with Spring Street. Take a left onto Acushnet Avenue off of Union Street if headed up from Route 18. Take a right if headed down Union from County Street. Acushnet Avenue is a one-way street.

Traveling from the Boston area and don’t want to drive? Take the MBTA South Coast Rail from South Station to New Bedford’s Whale’s Tooth Parking Lot, which is a roughly fifteen-minute walk away from downtown or a very short Uber ride.

Hotel Information

There are two hotels located downtown within walking distance of the starting line, museums, shops, and restaurants. The Harbor Hotel is a boutique hotel with a lounge and bar adjacent to the first-floor lobby. Rooms at the Harbor Hotel are best suited for individuals or couples. The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is located along the working waterfront. Their rooms can accommodate families. The Whaler Inn and Suites is located just off the highway and is a less than ten-minute drive from downtown.